In this clever novel, the main characters staging a production of Hamlet find that their lives coincidentally mirror many of the famous play’s themes: action versus inaction; ghosts of the past; dealing with grief; death of innocence.

The story centers around the Blue Mountain Rose, an outdoor Elizabethan stage in Flagstaff, Arizona. It’s 2009, the economy is tanking, and the Rose needs extensive renovations. Richard Keane, the revered director, is considering stepping down after almost 40 years. Richard’s heir apparent is Kate Morales, a single mother coping with her job, her love life and a precocious 11-year-old.

When Peter Dunmore auditions for Hamlet, the unknown actor wows Richard and Kate. They begin to pin their hopes on audiences turning out to see his extraordinary star-making turn. What they don’t know is that Dunmore is already a star, hiding secrets that not only paralyze him, but also may destroy their dreams of keeping the Rose alive.

Even if readers are not well-versed in Hamlet, the author includes just enough information about the play, its characters, and its famous lines to keep everyone in the loop. The author gives Shakespeare a fresh and modern—even fun—take on some of the bard’s notable themes: Richard often greets others in his favorite Shakespearean verses, which becomes a kind of quirky calling card; Peter is living Shakespeare’s “Uneasy is the head that wears the crown,” from Henry IV as he grapples with the modern-day equivalent: “What price fame?”; and Hammonds appears to have an insider’s knowledge of launching a demanding theatrical production—parsing lines for meaning; timing costume changes; staging sword fights—giving non-actors insight into the work behind any show.

But, as with any novel, the plot’s the thing, and there’s plenty of the standard elements—romance, secrets, intrigue—to carry readers to a satisfying conclusion. With Shakespeare’s uncanny resonance even today, Blue Mountain Rose should become a book club favorite with more than enough fodder for discussion.

Also available as an ebook.